The development of new alternatives seeking treatment of wastewater and industrial
waste has been seen of great importance for the different sectors of society. The
heterogeneous photocatalysis is one because it involves redox reactions caused by
incidence of ultraviolet radiation (UV) on the surface of the semiconductor. In this
process can be used titanium dioxide (TiO2) as the semiconductor heterogeneous
photocatalysis. Thus, the study sought to test the efficiency of TiO2 meso /
macroporous photocatalytic activity in the degradation of methyl orange dye. Such
oxides were prepared by the sol-gel emulsion method. This process is
advantageous, particularly for pore size control possibility (through the variation of
the surfactant phase / oil) from the concentration and type of surfactant employed in
the process. The obtained TiO2 pore size in the meso and macro scale is justified
because the photocatalytic activity may be enhanced through a high surface area
and porosity in this semiconductor. These foams were prepared using the no ionic
surfactant Pluronic F-127 and anionic Sodium dodecyl sulfate, using as apolar phase
Isopropyl myristate oil. The results obtained by means of photocatalysis showed
increased photocatalytic activity influenced by the porous structure of these oxides
obtained from the variation of the surfactant and the effect of nonpolar phase. While
the emulsification changed properties, such as porosity, bulk density, number of
macro / mesopores, among others, oxides. Thus, it was possible to obtain, through
the photocatalytic tests, a higher photocatalytic activity for the sample prepared with
the nonionic surfactant Pluronic F-127.
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